Jerusalem: Israel recorded a voter turnout of 66.7% by 6 pm on Tuesday, the highest figure recorded by that time in the country’s election history, according to the Central Elections Committee. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a strong challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot and other opposition parties.
The committee said turnout stood at 57.7% at the same time during the 2022 elections. More than 7.3 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots at 12,018 polling stations across the country.
Election officials reported long queues at several polling stations. They said all voters who reach polling stations by 10 pm would be allowed to vote.
Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, cast their votes in Jerusalem. Amid a closely contested election, the prime minister appealed to right-wing voters to support his party.
Opinion polls suggest that no political bloc is assured of a clear majority in Israel’s 120-member parliament, the Knesset. A party or coalition needs the support of at least 61 lawmakers to form a government.
